Five NASCAR Cup tracks will get short track package in 2026
CONCORD, N.C. — The NASCAR Cup Series will run a different aero package at five tracks that will see a horsepower increase in 2026.
Teams will shift from the intermediate track package to the short track/road course package and 750 horsepower at Bristol, Darlington, Dover, Nashville Superspeedway, World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, joining every other oval less than 1.5 miles in length and all road courses with that package.
NASCAR introduced the short track/road course package in 2024 with a three-inch spoiler and fewer diffuser strakes.
NASCAR will mandate A-post flaps for all tracks in 2026, instead of just Daytona, Talladega and Atlanta. Engineers designed the flap to work with the roof flaps to keep the cars on the ground. Underneath the flap will be a bright orange component.
Starting in 2026, there will also be testing procedures for new manufacturers entering the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series or NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
- Each manufacturer will get a maximum of three tests with each test open to up to three affiliated organizations (two vehicles each).
- Manufacturers must do the test a maximum of two consecutive days each and by March 1.
- Manufacturers can’t test at new or repaved tracks or tracks that will host events within 60 days of the test session.
NASCAR is set to release the final rules and procedures in January.
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com